Torque tool with ratchet signal



P 7, 1948. H. w. ZIMMERMAN 2,449,034

TORQUE TOOL WITH RATCHET SIGNAL Filed April 21, 1944 I N V EN TOR. E ii? 3171102002072 AZUAZNEY Patented Sept. 7, 1948 TORQUE T0013 WITH RATCHET SIGNAL Herman W. Zimmerman, North- Newington,

Conn; Sylvia V. M. Zimmerman administratrix of said Herman W. Zimmerman, deceased Application April 21, 1944, Serial No. 53-23109 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to torque tools and particularly to hand tools having adjustable means to vary the force required: to turn the handle or lever. of a wrench or other tool relative-"to its screw engaging, member or other work engaging member;

Anv object: of. the present invention is to provide a practical, simple and rugged torque tool such as a wrench that may be adjustable over a wide range and retain its adjustability over along period of use.

Another object isto provide improved frictional retaining means for the hand lever relative to the work engaging member of the tool that may be adjusted to predetermined torques and which will retain any predetermined adjustment over long periods of use.

With the above and other objects in view the invention includes the features of construction and operation set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In the accompanying drawing annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown the invention embodied in two different forms of tools but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawing is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claim appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a torque tool made in accordance with the invention:

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the tool shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan View of the portion of the tool shown in Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of another form of tool made in accordance with the invention.

In the above-mentioned drawing there have been shown two embodiments of the invention which are now deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Briefly, and in its preferred aspect, the invention may include the following principal parts: First, a hub member having engaging means thereon for the work piece such as a nut or screw to be tightened; second, a flange on said hub at an intermediate portion thereof; third, a nut threaded upon the hub member; fourth, a hand 2 lever one end of which fits over the intermediate portions of the hub member and is cl'amped 'frictionally between parts of or' members onthe hub; and fifth, a detent operated by relative movement of the hub member and hand lever;

Referring more in detail to the figures of the drawing, I provide a hub member II] to which is frictionally connected at hand lever II- of any convenient length in a mannerpresen-tly" tobe described.

The hub member "I comprises a short threaded member in the form of a studhaving ascrew or other work engaging end I2. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this end of the hub comprises a squared section adapted to fit within a squared recess in a screw or other member being tightened. At the opposite end of the member I0 is a threaded section over which fits a nut I3. At an intermediate portion of the hub member I2 is a flange I4 preferably formed integrally with the hub member.

On the hand lever I I on opposite faces are collars I5 preferably pinned as shown to the lever II at one end. Extending through an opening within the hand lever II and collars I5 is the shank portion of the hub member III. The outer face of one of the collars I5 bears against the flange I4. The opposite face of the opposite collar bears against a washer I6 on the shank portion of the hub. Between washer I6 and nut I3 a sealing washer I'I having a circular shroud may be mounted on the hub member to retain a sealing disc I8 threaded over the end of the hub member and disposed within the washer I1.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the periphery of the washer I6 is notched and engages a flexible strip member mounted within the hand lever and extending radially relative to the washer I6 and longitudinally of the hand lever. Relative movements, therefore, of the hand lever I I and the hub member ID produce an audible signal to indicate that the hand lever II is rotating relative to the hub member. To house one end of the flexible or resilient member I9, a block 20 may be secured to the hand lever having an opening extendin longitudinally therethrough, one end of which frictionally engages and retains the member I9 in position and at the opposite end of the block the opening is widened to permit lateral movement of the member I9.

In Fig. 4 another form of torque tool is shown having a hub member 25 adapted for the insertion of a tool such as a screw driver or a socket fitting over the head of a screw or other part to be tightened. The upper end of this member 25 is reduced in diameter and threaded. The lower end of the tool handle 26 is provided with a yoke 21 on the opposite faces of which are secured collars 28 as by means of the pin 29. Above the upper collar is a washer 30, the periphery of which may be serrated if desired for engagement with a detent spring or other resilient member similar to that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. A nut 3| above this upper washer enables the friction between the collars 28 and the hub member 25 and mem bers mounted thereon to be regulated.

In either form of tool the torque applied by rotation of the lever H or handle 26 may be controlled by adjustment of the nut l3 or 3| and each tool, screw or other part tightened by operation of the forms of the invention will be drawn equally tight so long as the same adjustment of the nuts l3 and 3| is maintained. Preferably the collars I5 and 28 may be of brass or bronze and the parts on the hub member engaging these collars are of an iron or steel composition that under relatively high compressive stresses will not have their surfaces roughened by contact with the collars. The adjustment, therefore, for any torque will be maintained over a long period of use.

I claim: 4

A torque tool comprising in combination, a hub member having work engaging portions, a hand lever rotatable relative to said hub member, a flange on said hub member, a washer and a threaded member thereon, bearing collars on opposite faces of said hand lever of different material from the member on the hub and engaging said flange and washer respectively, means on said threaded means to vary the compression of said collars between said flange and washer, whereby the torque required to rotate said hand lever relative to said hub member may be regulated, ratchet means comprising a toothed wheel secured to the hub member and a resilient detent secured to said hand lever and engaging said toothed wheel to indicate when the frictional resistance has been exceeded and relative rotation of said hub member and lever is taking place, and sealing means for said threaded member in any predetermined adjusted position.

' HERMAN W. ZIMMERMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 940,415 Williams Nov. 16, 1909 2,136,438 Horsrud Nov. 15, 1938 2,398,330 Rueb Apr. 9, 1946 2,427,153 Mossberg Sept. 9, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 352,005 Italy Aug. 31, 1937 703,769 Germany Mar. 15, 1941 

